episode_0270

The Violets decided to do things they hadn’t done in a while.

Namely, proliferation.

“Let’s multiply!”

“We’ll multiply ourselves a lot!”

Violet is an increasing existence. Numbers are power and strategy.

Therefore, nothing was as important as the proliferation of our existence.

Even terrifying magic beasts and powerful hunters eventually fell before sheer numbers, physical force, and countless magic bombardments.

Not only that, but every time the Violets increased, our mental power grew stronger.

“When the numbers increase, so does our processing power!”

“The power of democracy!”

Every time our numbers increased, the scale and complexity of the Violet network also grew.

Although the exact operating principles of the network were unknown, it was clear from Professor Albert and Doctor Yurik’s explanations that it was closely related to our brains.

Furthermore, if our numbers increased beyond the current level, we would be able to do even more.

“Stronger magic!”

And, at the current level, we might even be able to use reality manipulation abilities that are currently beyond our grasp.

“Wow! Then we’ll be invincible!”

“We’ll become gods!”

Just imagining it sends shivers down our spines.

We could snap our fingers and turn enemies into chocolate, or transform incoming bullets into piles of french fries.

It would also be possible to supply infinite magazines or create Ruzilin’s Iron Fist, which would never break.

“It would be great if we could revive Ruzilin’s Iron Fist…”

The Violets fell silent as the wreckage of the tank they had abandoned beyond the erosion zone came to mind.

They wanted to find a new tank to inherit their friend’s name, but it seemed difficult for a while.

Regulations weren’t the issue. There were no regulations in the Academy City that prevented individuals from purchasing tanks or fighter jets.

If one had the money, no one would stop them from buying a tank and commuting to work with it.

Ultimately, the problem was money.

“Too expensive!”

For most clans, tanks were nothing more than white elephants.

Armored vehicles were good for riding even outside of combat. They could also be modified like trucks and used for transporting supplies.

Tanks, on the other hand, had ambiguous uses. Their firepower was excessive for weak magic beasts, and they didn’t offer a decisive advantage against mid to high-level magic beasts.

Moreover, operating them inside dungeons required meeting demanding conditions.

Dealing with difficult magic, such as combustion interference spells or barrier fields, was also necessary.

So, tanks sold on the market were few and expensive. There weren’t many sellers or buyers.

Combat vehicles effective in battles against magic beasts could only be operated by large clans or corporations.

The Violets’ current everyday economic activities made it difficult to meet the demand for expensive equipment.

They couldn’t ask Irene for help again.

They needed to devise other ways to earn money besides their current work.

“Let’s go to a high-difficulty dungeon!”

“How about going to the continent?”

Various suggestions poured out from the Violet council.

“What about smuggling or duplication?”

“Denied!”

Sometimes suggestions bordering on crime emerged, but they were always withdrawn.

We Violets are beautiful girls who aim for a healthy market economy.

Regardless, it’s clear that if their numbers were greater than they are now, there would be more things they could do.

Still, they would need some advice.

I went to find Mister Yurik, who was sifting through papers in his office in the central district.

“Yesterday, you collapsed and were even hospitalized. You seem to be doing better now. Do you remember? Yesterday, you said you were in pain, so I took you to the emergency room for a CT scan, and it was a mess.”

That’s right, a wicked Apostle used sensory amplification, causing Violets across the nation to fall ill and collapse. It was a sad dark chapter.

“But I’m fine! That won’t happen again. I definitely taught those bad guys a lesson yesterday!”

“That’s a relief. More importantly, you look like you have something to say…”

“That’s right. I have a question!”

Before getting to the main point, I rambled on about what happened yesterday.

To ask a question, it’s best to provide the background first.

Mister Yurik, who had been listening quietly, adopted a serious expression.

“Apostle? Eidos? Wait a moment, what you’re talking about now are things I’ve never heard of in my life. At a glance, it sounds like something from a top-secret military document. Is it okay to just say things like this?”

“Oh, that’s right. So, you don’t want to hear it?”

That would be difficult. Perhaps because he was a scholar, the man in front of me was a person with strong curiosity and a desire for knowledge.

“…Since I’ve already heard it, there’s nothing I can do. For now, let’s just hear the rest of the story.”

After the explanation ended, the man adjusted his glasses back on his nose.

“…So, an Apostle has been added to the Violet network, right? Shall I guess why you came to see me? You seem to be unable to use reality manipulation, and you came to ask what you should do, right?”

Wow, he’s quick-witted.

“Yeah! So, can you answer me? Is there a good way?”

“This kind of thing is related to magic, so it’s Professor Albert’s specialty, you know? I can’t give you a definitive answer, but…”

Mister Yurik, who had been thinking for a long time, answered slowly as if drawing out his words.

“What you’re thinking in your head right now is probably correct.”

“Increasing the number of clones?”

“Yes. But keep in mind. Simply increasing by a few hundred won’t be enough. It won’t even make a difference.”

Hmm, a more depressing conclusion than expected.

“I’ll discuss the details with Professor Albert. I also need to do some calculations… Was that enough of an answer?”

“Yeah… Well, if it can’t be done, then it can’t be helped.”

The questions were over. The man was tearing open a cardboard box, whose origin was unknown, and organizing the documents inside onto his desk.

The yellowed papers looked older than expected.

“By the way, Mister Yurik! What are you looking at?”

“Oh, this, you mean?”

Mister Yurik lifted a stack of papers from inside the box and showed it.

The large letters emblazoned on the front page were impressive.

“These are things I requested from acquaintances. I received all the materials that were left abandoned in my university supervisor’s office. I thought they might be helpful for my research.”

“Research?”

Come to think of it, this man voluntarily remained at our home even after the Magnabyss explosion, just looking at books all day. He seemed to be doing something with Professor Albert as well.

“I see. It’s not human experimentation, is it?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Alright! Then, good luck with your work!”

I left the man in the room and stepped outside. There was somewhere I needed to go.

**Hospital Visit**

We went to find Ariel. Finding her wasn’t difficult.

If we just asked people we knew to look into it, they’d find her quickly.

Since people from Cascadiath also participated in the rescue efforts, I could just ask Adela Unnie.

The answer came quickly.

“There are about three people named Ariel. One is an academy student, another is an adult. This child is probably the person Violet is looking for.”

“This is her!”

Patients from this incident were divided and admitted to several nearby hospitals, and Ariel was hospitalized in one of them.

Apparently, many patients with similar symptoms were gathered there.

“By the way, who is this child?”

“Oh, she’s someone who’s going to be our junior in the future!”

“Future junior?”

Adela Unnie’s purple eyes sparkled with interest as she listened to my explanation.

“Oh, so she was preparing to enter Aegis Academy… I’m looking forward to it.”

Ariel is a cute girl. Adela Unnie would like her when she sees her.

The hospital we arrived at was much more crowded than expected.

Medical staff were bustling about, visibly busy due to the sudden large-scale patient intake.

I was worried I might not be able to get in, but hospital visits were allowed under the condition of being an Awakened person with guaranteed identity.

“Alright, put out your arms. Open your mouth.”

“Ugh!”

After undergoing several layers of rigorous disinfection procedures, including basic disinfectants, radiation sterilization, and various spells and machines, they could proceed to the hospital room.

“It’s incredibly strict!”

“What are these masks and gloves?”

There was only a line or two about the illness in the news and articles, but they hadn’t expected it to be so severe.

Had the Restraids exercised media control?

As they entered the hospital room, a cute girl with dark brown hair greeted them cheerfully.

“Hello!”

“Violet Unnie?”

Ariel’s eyes widened in surprise, filled with admiration.

I asked cautiously.

“Ariel! Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay now. I also took my medicine.”

Ariel replied in a bright voice. Contrary to expectations, Ariel’s condition seemed quite good.

I sighed in relief and approached Ariel’s bedside.

“That’s a relief! I thought you were really sick, I was worried!”

“The Doctor-nim said I got better quickly. I’m much better than yesterday!”

At Ariel’s words, we exchanged glances.

Had the effects of the strange epidemic spread by that Apostle disappeared?

I don’t know for now. For now, I should just enjoy spending time with Ariel.

“I see. Then you’ll be able to leave the hospital soon, right?”

When I asked with a smile, Ariel tilted her head.

“I’m not sure about that. The Doctor-nim said they want to observe me a bit longer.”

“Right! You’ll get better. You said you wanted to enter Aegis Academy, didn’t you? You absolutely have to enroll.”

A warm smile formed on Ariel’s lips.

The warmth on her face quickly faded.

The hope and joy in Ariel’s smile quickly lost their power.

She looked somehow, very lonely.

“Why is she acting like that?”

Perhaps she was caught up in something big, and the shock was too great.

She saw nukes exploding and even contracted a strange illness, so of course she wouldn’t be feeling well.

“Don’t worry! It’s probably nothing. And the Aegis entrance exam isn’t as hard as you think.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, if you prepare hard, you can definitely pass! Your parents will be happy too! It’s a prestigious school, you know?”

“…”

Ariel’s gaze, which had been listening to me, was fixed blankly on the air.

The smile that had been difficult to form vanished, replaced by a face frozen white like a plaster statue.

“Oh, are you in pain?”

“…I’m fine. I… I’m just going to sleep a little…”

Ariel suddenly complained of tiredness and turned over. Was she very tired?

“I’ll come again later! Tell me if there’s anything you want to eat!”

“Okay…”

I closed the door and left, looking forward to my next visit.

Outside the room, the hurried footsteps of medical staff still filled the air.

Seeing the other people lying in the hospital rooms, it seemed the situation hadn’t been fully resolved, but at least it was clear that it had improved compared to yesterday.

“It seems like we cured people’s illnesses!”

“This is Violet-style disease prevention!”

As I went down, chatting about this with the other Violets, I felt like I had missed something.

An uneasy feeling, as if I had left something important behind.

After going through the complex disinfection procedures once more and stepping out of the hospital, suddenly, 2316 asked in a serious tone.

“Wait a minute, but where are Ariel’s parents?”

“Huh?”

Only then did we belatedly realize the mistake we had made.

“Gasp! This is a big problem!”